Tucked between the rustling jungle and the turquoise stretch of the Caribbean, Papaya Playa Project in Tulum doesn’t just offer a stay — it offers a feeling. A little wild, a little luxe, and entirely unlike anywhere else. Here, treehouses aren’t novelty — they’re part of the rhythm. Earthy, handcrafted, and open to the elements in all the right ways.
The treehouses — or casitas, depending on which one you land in — are made with local materials like zapote wood and chukum, the latter a traditional Mayan finish that keeps interiors cool and the vibe rooted in the past. Some even come with rooftop plunge pools. Yes, actual plunge pools above the trees. It sounds excessive until you're floating in one, staring out over the sea, wondering if time has always moved this slowly.
Inside, the design walks a fine line between rustic and refined. Rounded, cave-like walls hug you in — apparently meant to encourage the flow of positive energy. Whether you believe in that sort of thing or not, it’s undeniably calming. The space is punctuated with woven textiles, handpicked art, and natural tones that feel more curated than forced. And yes, there’s a real bed. A good one. You’re still in a luxury eco-hotel after all.
Each unit has a meditation room, which might sound a bit much at first. But after a day of swimming, sun, and ceviche, stepping into that small, quiet space with nothing but the hum of jungle life? Yeah. It works. It’s less about the performance of wellness and more about the real thing. The kind where you forget your phone somewhere and don’t even care.
Outside your door, the beach is right there — soft sand, warm water, and that wild, wind-swept Tulum energy. The property hosts yoga sessions, holistic workshops, and an ever-changing schedule of events that somehow still manages to feel intimate. Bonfires happen. Live music floats in. People talk. It’s not a party scene exactly, but it’s also not dead silent — there’s a low hum of joy in the air, if that makes sense.
And maybe what makes this place really stand out is how intentionally it respects where it is. Ninety percent of the jungle is left untouched. The construction follows Mayan methods. Even the food — fresh, regional, simple — feels like it’s part of the land, not just plated on it.
So no, it’s not the cheapest stay in Tulum. And no, it’s not for everyone. But if you’re into raw elegance, open-air dreaming, and a little spiritual seasoning sprinkled onto your luxury vacation? Papaya Playa Project might just be your next favorite memory.
Add a review